Kolkata to Tezpur Flights

  About Kolkata

The capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, Kolkata, is famed to be one of the best metropolitan cities in the country. Known as one of the busiest cities, the rich and illustrious history is a testament to the Kolkata's culture. The cuisine does not just reflect this that they are famously known for but also the city's pristine architecture. There are a plethora of sites and important institutions that must be visited to understand the history and the magnitude of the British influence on the city. From mishti dois to doi potol to rasgullas, the elaborate list of dishes from the Bengali culture can be found in every nook and corner of Kolkata.

Best time to visit Kolkata

The months from October to March is considered the best to visit Kolkata. The temperatures see a pleasant drop while the air is cool and comfortable. The December and January months see temperatures ranging between 9 degree Celsius and 11 degree Celsius, making it cold but beautiful. The winter season also sees various important festivals observed by the Bengalis such as Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja and Kali Puja. As it is a peak season, the flight tickets to Kolkata might soar a little.

Just like most of India, the months of April to May sees a tremendous surge in the temperatures, making the atmosphere too hot. In Kolkata, summers range between 30 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius, which is quite a lot to bear. It automatically affects the plans to sightsee, especially if you are a tourist. If you are unfazed by the harsh sun during the summer, then you should visit the city. The flight tickets to Kolkata are cheap and affordable. As the accommodations are so low-priced, you can reach the city and book a hotel too.

The city does witness tremendous rainfall from June to September, come monsoon. However, of all the months, August is the wettest for Kolkata during rains. The best part about rains is how the city is filled with hawkers selling munchies while chai becomes the partner in crime.

Places to visit in Kolkata

Ensure to add the Victoria Memorial to your itinerary of places to visit in Kolkata. The structure looks like it has been picked out of a fairytale with its exquisite Victorian architecture and the well-kept gardens. Discover more about the English influence by visiting Fort Williams. The enormous white structure has been an important part of British rule and continues to play a vital role in today's Kolkata as well. This 19th-century palatial estate located in the North of Kolkata once belonged to the royal families of Kolkata.

It would be a sin to miss the Howrah Bridge, when in Kolkata. The Harbour Bridge of India is the oldest and the busiest roads you will find in the city. The bridge has been built over the Hoogly river and plays a vital role in connecting two big cities, Kolkata and Howrah. The Tagore House is also one of the famous tourist attractions. The former house of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the Tagore House has photo galleries, paintings and literary works of the poet. Kolkata's biggest attraction, though, is the Sunderbans. Listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site and being called the largest tiger reserve in India, the Sunderbans have a reputation for bringing forth a surreal for travellers.

The city also has various temples, churches and mosques that can be added to your list of places to visit in Kolkata. St Paul's Cathedral is famed for its stature as the largest church in Kolkata. As for temples, since the Bengalis have extreme faith in Goddess Durga and her various forms, there are several Devi temples and shrines that you will see in the city. The Kalighat Kali Temple, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Birla Mandir, to name a few are beautiful temples with interesting architecture that should be explored. Do not miss the Nakhoda Mosque, which is located in Rabindra Sarani.

Things to do in Kolkata

There are several fun things to do within the city of Kolkata. You can take a book and sit by the Rabindra Sarovar to savour in the literature as well as the peaceful ambience of the place. Or you can always opt to go a little bonkers at the Aquatica, a water amusement park, touted to be the largest in the Eastern parts of India. If you think there is a lot more you need to know about the city, then the Indian Museum is your place to be.

The city has a few ghats such as Princey Ghat, located close to the Hoogly river and you should check them out. No trip can be signed off as complete with a little shopping indulgence. Head to the Park Street and haggle for some pretty accessories, Dokra and paper mâché masks when you're in Kolkata. You can further indulge in some street food binge too.

Food and Restaurants in Kolkata

The Mughals and British heavily influence Kolkata's food culture. It is believed that the Mughals played a catalyst to bring forth the famed Bengali sweets. The idea to use dry fruits in food was a Persian thing that they practised and have been doing to this day. While the enthusiasm for art and literature is very Western, the cuisine has a blend of Chinese, Portuguese and Armenian.

Flurry's, Mocambo, Fire and Ice Pizzeria, Mrs Magpie, to name a few, have the best Continental and English spread that one can ask for in Kolkata. The quaint restaurants don't just offer their lip-smacking food but also a piece of their soul when they interact with their customers. From cute cupcakes to a delicious English breakfast, these places would give you the best food in the city.

For the sweet tooth in you, visit Balaram Mullick and Radharam Mullick to taste their legendary flavours as they constantly work on improving and innovating new sweets to keep the customers engaged. The sweets shop is actually run by the Scion of the Mullick Dynasty that was prevalent in Bengal 150 years ago.

Kewpie's Kitchen, Koshe Kosha, Indian Coffee House, Paris Cafe and Kusum Rolls are some joints which offer amazing cafe and fast food. These places do add more intrigue to the food culture of Kolkata.

How to reach Kolkata

By Air

As one of the top cities of India, Kolkata has a domestic as well as an international airport. Touted to be one of the busiest airports in the country, The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, better known as Kolkata International Airport, has excellent connectivity with domestic as well as international cities. The flight connectivity to and from Kolkata is brilliant as the city has flights coming in from major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc. In fact, the airport also sees flights from Kolkata reaching other top international cities.

The international routes directly connected with Kolkata include Doha, Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Chittagong, Dhaka, Hong Kong, etc. You can easily book direct flights from Kolkata to these international destinations without having to compromise on the time duration as well as layover concerns. Major Indian, as well as international airlines, also have dedicated flights and parking stations in the city's airport.

One need to fret over flight tickets to Kolkata as the busy airport sees a lot of action with many travellers making their way in and out of the city. Interestingly, out of all the top metro cities in India, flight tickets to Kolkata are the cheapest. This means you can always opt for a cheap flight to Kolkata and get great deals on the same.

By Rail

There are two important railway stations that connect the city from the rest of the country. The Howrah Railway Station and the Sealdah Railway station see outstation trains arriving in and leaving Kolkata. However, they are not the only two stations which see trains connecting to other cities. Even the Chitpur railway station, Shalimar Railway station and Kharagpur railway station have express and intercity trains connecting Kolkata with various cities within West Bengal and other states.

Some of the most famous express trains to travel to Kolkata are Duronto Express, Rajdhani Express and Jan Shatabdi Express. There are special trains such as Garib Rath Express and Yuva Express that also travel to the city. The train connectivity of Kolkata is excellent as it manages to connect with various states from Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari. If you are unable to get flight tickets to Kolkata, splurging on a train ticket, especially an express train, is a good travel option.

By Road

The city's roadway connectivity is just as immaculate as the train and flight connectivity. Some of the major national highways and state highways connect Kolkata to important metro cities. Taking a road trip seems like a good option, provided you are travelling from Andhra Pradesh or Orissa or Jharkhand or even Bihar. The neighbouring states of West Bengal have dedicated buses to and from Kolkata as the domestic routes are well-connected. You can further connect to the North-Eastern states with utmost ease from the city as the domestic routes from Kolkata connect perfectly with Guwahati and Siliguri.

  About Tezpur

The cultural capital of Assam, Tezpur must also be in your holiday list if you are planning a trip to Assam or the North East of India. Situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra river, it's a city that is developing at a fast pace. The city's cultural heritage, the beautiful hills around it and the lush greenery are what makes this city worth a visit. In fact, booking a hotel in Tezpur with a view of the hills will add the needed touch to your vacation. You will wake up feeling relaxed, and the view will rejuvenate you. The city also has a national park that you will love visiting. Like the rest of Assam, Tezpur is also known for its tea plantation.

Best Time to Visit Tezpur

October to April is considered to be the best time to visit Tezpur. The city looks so beautiful, you will be mesmerized by the sunrise and the sunset here. The temperature ranges from 12 to 28 degree Celsius. You will even get to indulge in a lot of outdoor activities and sightseeing during winter. It won't be too cold, but it will not be very hot either. Look out for affordable flight deals to Tezpur online. You can also book a hotel in Tezpur with a view of the mountains or the river. This is the right time to visit the city and feel rejuvenated.

Summer in Tezpur begins from March and lasts till May. The temperature ranges from 24 to 35 degree Celsius. The summers are mild, which makes it a decent time to plan your visit to Tezpur. The weather will not affect your sightseeing plans in any way, and the evenings will only get pleasant. Planning a trip to Tezpur during this season won't be a bad idea if you are not fond of cold weather. Since it is also off-season, you might get cheap flight tickets to Tezpur during summer. Make sure you try to find a flight and hotel combo online.

June to September is the monsoon from June to September. The city is drenched throughout these months, and it is not the best time to visit Tezpur. The temperature ranges between 24 to 35 degree Celsius, and it is not safe to commute by road, too, because of the downpour. It is ideal to avoid planning a trip to Tezpur during this season. It will certainly put a damper on your plans to go sightseeing or any other outdoor activities that you might otherwise take up in the other seasons.

Places to Visit in Tezpur

Tezpur is a city that is surrounded by lush greenery and hills. It is also known for its tea plantations. The Chitralekha Park, established by British Deputy Commissioner Mr Cole, is one of the most popular tourist spots here. It is also called as Cole Park, and you can see the Bamuni Hill ruins from here. Make sure you do visit the park. The Bamuni Hill and its ruins are known for their artistic beauty. Da-Parbatia is another popular spot you must visit. It has some of the oldest and best collections of the sculptural art in the state. Da Parbatia is just a few kilometres away from Tezpur, and a must-visit. Make sure you also visit Agnigarh, a hilltop that is besides river Brahmaputra. This is a very popular tourist attraction and an excellent spot for you to go hiking, too, if it is an adventure that you are looking for during your trip. The Hazara Pukhuri is a water body that also counts as a popular tourist spot in Tezpur. The popular king of the Ahom dynasty, Harjjar Varma, built the tank a couple of years back.

The Nameri National Park, which is located about 35 km away from Tezpur, has something for each type of traveller. You can indulge in a water sport or adventure activities within the forest, or you can go trekking or even take a safari ride. You will find a lot of animals like Sloth bear, hog deer, wild boar, Himalayan black bear, tiger leopard and so on in the forest. Bird lovers can go bird watching, and wildlife photographers can find joy in spotting the rich wildlife in action and in their natural habitat. If you wish to head to another wildlife sanctuary post this, you can go to Kaziranga National Park, Orang Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhalukpong. Tezpur is the right spot for everyone who wishes to experience nature at its best. You will also find picnic spots in the forests that are apt for a nice sit-down snack with your family and take loads of pictures. You can book a hotel in Tezpur that is closer to the national parks to avoid travelling a lot.

Things to do in Tezpur

There are quite a lot of things for adventure and nature lovers to do in Tezpur. You can either go on a couple of treks or spend a few days relaxing in your hotel room or amidst nature. There are a lot of national parks in and around Tezpur that you must definitely visit. Experience the wildlife in and around the city at its best. Agnigarh is a hilltop near Brahmaputra that is a popular spot to go hiking. It won't be that difficult a hike if you go during the right season. While you are here, do not miss the Nameri National Park that is a few hours away, and a must-visit, too. The national park has a lot of activities for you to do. You can also book a hotel in Tezpur that is closer to the national park. Apart from trekking inside the national park, you will also get to indulge in activities like river rafting, swimming and sunbathing. You can also go on a wildlife photography tour and take pictures of the beautiful scenery around it. You can even take pictures of all the animals that you spot in the forest.

Plan a picnic at Chitralekha Park and then head to the ruins of Bamuni Hills. You can also plan a picnic at Bhalukpong. You can also visit the Eco Camp, which is about 50 km away from Tezpur. You can indulge in a lot of recreational activities here. You will also find a lot of tour guides in the city who will offer unique experiences that you might not come across otherwise. Make sure you also visit the local markets to go shopping for souvenirs and try the street food in the city. The food will not disappoint you one bit.

Food and Restaurants in Tezpur

You will find a lot of Indian and Asian cuisines at restaurants in Tezpur. Not only will the food be a delight to your taste buds, but it is also quite affordable. It won't burn a hole in your pocket at all. From Momos to other kinds of Assamese food and Asian cuisines, you will find food for every mood in the city. The Dhaba End Dee's Samaroh is a very popular eatery in Tezpur. The seafood, dal and chicken delicacies are some of the famous options here. You can also head to Spring Valley Restaurant for an Assamese Thali. The restaurant is popular for its hospitality, quick service and a delicious Assamese thali. You can also try ethnic food at Singpho Shat Gawk. The city also has quite a few cafes for you to hang out with your friends and just chill. Make sure you also try the street food and see if you can find cooking classes in the locality, too. Learn how to make authentic Assamese food and about the different kinds of cuisines that the locals make here. Since it is a tourist destination, finding different types of cuisine that suit your appetite will not be a problem at all.

How to Reach Tezpur (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is the Salonibari Airport in Tezpur itself. The flight connectivity from Tezpur is quite limited, though. It is connected to Kolkata and Silchar through Air India. The nearest international airport to Tezpur is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. It is about 165 km away from Tezpur and is also a popular route to Tezpur by air. If you book your tickets well in advance, you might get good flight deals to Tezpur or cheap flight tickets to Tezpur.

By Rail

The Tezpur Railway Station is well-connected to other cities of Assam, and there are trains that run frequently, too. Travelling by train might be time-consuming, but it is a convenient way to travel, and the train journey also promises a great view of lush greenery in the state.

By Road

Tezpur is well-connected to other major cities in Assam by road. It is about a 4-hour drive away from Guwahati, and you will also find a lot of buses that run to Tezpur from other cities like Siliguri, Coochbehar, Shillong, Dimapur, Jorhat and so on. If you are planning a monsoon trip to Tezpur, it would be advisable to not travel by road.

  About Kolkata Airport

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is located in Dum Dum, in the state of West Bengal. The airport serves the Kolkata metropolis and is about 17 km away from the city centre. It was earlier called the Dum Dum Airport but was later renamed as the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, in 1995. The airport is sprawled over 1,641 acres and is the largest hub for air traffic in the eastern locales of the country. It is also one of the two international airports in the eastern part, along with the Bagdogra Airport. The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport accommodates the 20 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest airport in the country apropos passenger traffic. The Kolkata Airport falls behind Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore airports in terms of passenger traffic. The Kolkata Airport is also known to be a major hub for flights to connect to the Northeast parts of India, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, to name a few. Much recently, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport received the honour as the Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific region.

About Kolkata Airport Terminals

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport recently received the new integrated terminal called T2. It is spread over 2,510,000 sq ft and can accommodate about 25 million passengers yearly. This is massively better compared to the previous terminal, which could only hold a capacity of 5 million. The L-shaped structure has six levels, 128 check-in counters and about 78 immigration booths with 12 customs counters. The airport also has passenger lounges that are provided by Air India. T2 is well-equipped with 18 aerobridges and sees remote parking bays of 57. The airport authorities have further planned to erect an 18-foot statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the T2 complex. The domestic terminals have been shut down for a good while the integrated terminal is in function. In the past, the airlines did see some setbacks as Lufthansa withdrew services to Frankfurt, leaving the airport with no nonstop and direct connections to countries beyond Asia. However, since the extended new terminal, the international operations have resumed and are attracting several airlines as well.

About airport authority

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is owned and served by the Airport Authority of India. The AAI has been catering to the extension, maintenance and development progression of the domestic and the international terminals of the Kolkata Airport. Over the years, the statutory body has been extending its development plans to make the airport more efficient. AAI was initially two separate boards namely, National Airports Authority and International Airports Authority of India, handling domestic and international flights respectively. In 1995 though, the two individual bodies were merged to form the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The present works to make the Kolkata Airport more accessible is in progress. There are talks of the airport receiving connectivity with a metro rail system to connect to the main city of Kolkata. Currently, buses and prepaid taxis are the only ways to reach the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Hence, the metro line would connect to the terminal directly.

Top airlines flying from Kolkata Airport

The Kolkata International Airport is the hub for airlines and flights flying to the North-Eastern parts of India. Many domestic and international airlines operate from the city. Kolkata is the hub of the East in India. The Kolkata Airport, one of the oldest in the country, has tremendously good connectivity to the North Eastern cities of India. Airlines such as Air Asia, AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara, operate from the Kolkata International Airport. The futuristic airport manages to connect to cities such as Imphal, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Aizawl, Agartala, Shillong, Jharsuguda, Tezpur, Silchar, to name a few. These domestic airlines operating from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, have dedicated flights to various other cities in India too, including the major ones such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

As the fifth busiest airport, Kolkata does offer good connectivity to the North East cities as well as countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and other countries in Southeast Asia. International airlines such as Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Dragon, China Eastern Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Malindo Air, Myanmar Airways, NovoAir, Qatar Airways, Regent Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Smile and US-Bangla Airlines, operate from the Kolkata International Airport. The airport also has international airlines connecting cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong and more.

Facilities at Kolkata Airport

Airlines lounges - The airport accommodates a handful of airline lounges along with the airport's dedicated lounge. As an international airport, the Kolkata Airport does cater to world-class facilities at the lounge including spas, restaurants and relaxing seats to unwind.

Baggage - Some of the big perks of baggage at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport include the provision of baggage wrapping services. This is to avoid the bags from being mishandled or for the contents to be affected. A wrapping fee is charged at the airport, which can be paid by cash, online payments or with the use of a debit or credit card. Along with the wrapping service, the airline also provides a storage facility. You can keep your bags here if there is a long layover or you can ask for a porter service too, to take care of your luggage. The services can be availed for up to 30 days, but the airport would carry a thorough security check before allowing the baggage to be stored.

Child care centre - For travellers in-transit with infants, the airport has reserved special child care rooms. The facility has all the child care essentials, including a changing table for the baby. They can be found at the arrival as well as the departure section of all the terminals. The room is well-maintained and hygienic.

ATMs and forex - Foreign exchange services are also available at the airport for travellers who may need extra liquid cash. Money transfers and other such money-related services are also available at the airport. These are specifically reserved for international passengers or travellers flying out of the country. Dedicated local banks have also been made available at the airport to help the passengers.

Postal services - In case you need to share some important document via courier or other mailing options, the airline has reserved a postal service specifically for such situations. You can find the postal services within the premise of the airport. You can find out more about this at the information desk located at regular intervals in the airport.

WiFi - The airport also allows free WiFi services within the vicinity. You can directly connect to the airport's WiFi network with a valid Indian mobile number. The services are available at the domestic and international terminals, at the waiting areas. The high-speed connection can be availed for approximately 45 minutes. Following this, the passenger will have to pay a fee to get access to more internet.

Medical services - There are round the clock medical facilities available at Terminal 2 of the airport. The medical services are managed by the Airports Authority of India along with Medica Super Speciality Hospital. They have inspection rooms as well as emergency paramedic supplies as well.

Special assistance - Passengers who require special assistance with respect to being escorted in a wheelchair or help with the braille symbols, can request for the same. It would be best to inform the airline ahead of time so that the airport staff can be accommodated to cater to the same. A staff would accompany the traveller with mobility or other health conditions.

Smoking zone - Smoking in public has been prohibited by the government. Hence, special smoking lounges have been installed within the premise of the airport. You can find them at both the domestic and international terminals.

Retiring room - The airport has introduced a convenient retiring room for passengers who have layovers. There are retiring rooms and dormitories at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport that passengers can avail to rest and freshen up.

How to reach Kolkata Airport

By Rail and Metro

The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport was once well-connected to the main Kolkata Suburban Railway system. From the Dum Dum Cantonment railway station (now Kolkata Suburban Railway Station), the airport was connected at the Biman Bandar station. However, with the state's plan to work on a metro line that connects the airport to the railway, the station has been shut for construction. Presently, the metro rail is under construction with the Kolkata Suburban Railway system's connectivity shut down. The distance is 4km long and elevated which also passes through Jessore Road. Once the metro rail completes construction, it will be directly linked with the terminals of the Kolkata Airport.

By Road

Currently, the only way to reach the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is by hailing a taxi or getting a prepaid ride. The airport and the city have excellent prepaid taxi facilities and AC buses that do connect the city with the airport. The 2 km flyover built from Kestopur to Raghunathpur was specifically constructed to increase the efficiency of reaching the airport and to avoid the traffic. You can make bookings of a prepaid taxi can be made at the booths and counters at the domestic and international terminals of the airport. You can easily reach Kolkata International Airport by road.